These smaller boats are handlining, catching reef and some shoal fish. At this time of the year they’re after snoek ( barracuda family), geelbek (Cape salmon) yellow tail, some tuna, albacore. Recently though we’ve been keeping a beady eye on a trawler which is experimenting in laying octopus traps with a view to commercial exploitation. We’re hoping that there is too much of a groundswell for it to be viable. They form part of the diet of seals and otters; take that link out of the food chain, then what?

Welcome!

Meet the wild creatures living along the urban edge at the southern end of the Cape Peninsula (Cape Town) South Africa. From African penguins at Boulders Beach to the smallest of mammals, the rare Pygmy mouse; daily visitors include mongoose, porcupine, genet, otters, and dassies. Shy caracal (lynx) keep a low profile but fulfill the role of predator. Not least are the charismatic Chacma baboons, a dynamic part of the urban edge fauna. The backdrop is the rich floral heritage of the Cape Floral Kingdom including fabulous bird and insect species.